Global collaboration in vaccine research and development crucial: Mandaviya
He stressed the necessity for global health community cooperation to fortify efforts in pandemic preparedness
PremiumNEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the importance of international collaboration in vaccine research and development during his virtual address at the Global Vaccine Research Collaborative discussion on Saturday.
The discussion, titled “Vaccine Research and Development: Building Consensus for Future Health Emergencies Prevention, Preparedness, and Response," took place as a joint initiative under India’s G20 Presidency. It was organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, in Hyderabad.
Mandaviya underscored the significance of research in expediting vaccine development, especially for emerging pathogens, within the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. He stressed the necessity for global health community cooperation to fortify efforts in pandemic preparedness.
Speaking on the occasion, Mandaviya proposed the Global Vaccine Research Collaborative as a mechanism to advance vaccine research and development for emerging pathogens. Acknowledging India’s long-standing leadership in vaccine research and development, Mandaviya highlighted the nation’s experience in developing, producing, and distributing vaccines for diseases like polio, smallpox, and measles.
Elaborating on India’s initiatives to boost vaccine production and distribution, the health minister stated that “the government has provided financial incentives and streamlined regulatory processes to encourage vaccine manufacturers to increase their production capacity. It has also taken steps to ensure the availability of vaccines in rural areas by leveraging the existing infrastructure of primary health centers and other healthcare facilities".
Reiterating India’s commitment to advancing health priorities, including pandemic preparedness, access to medicines and vaccines, and universal health coverage, Mandaviya said that “we must leverage India’s experience in these fields and accelerate vaccine development, especially for emerging and pandemic-potential pathogens."
Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan noted India’s historical role as a world leader in generics and biosimilars, with major Indian vaccine manufacturers contributing over 50% of the global vaccine supply. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to reduce the timeline for vaccine manufacturing from decades to less than a year.
The Global Vaccine Research Collaborative aims to leverage expertise and resources from various stakeholders to expedite vaccine development and mitigate the impact of future pandemics. The event provided a platform for global leaders to discuss strategies, exchange best practices, and foster collaboration in the field of vaccine research and development.
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